Google might finally let you do something with Gmail that users have been begging for, and it’s about time

Google may soon allow users to change their Gmail address, which is something many people have wanted for years. The company hasn’t officially announced this feature yet, but recent updates to a Google support page suggest it’s coming soon.

According to ZDNET, a Google support page was recently updated with instructions on how to change your Gmail address. The page mentions that this option might not be available to everyone right away. However, the next line states that the ability to change your Google Account email address is slowly rolling out to all users.

According to the updated support page, you’ll be able to receive emails at both your old and new address. All your existing data, including photos, messages, and emails linked to your old address, will remain safe and won’t be affected by the change.

Google is finally catching up with its competitors

You’ll be able to sign in to Google services like Gmail, Maps, Drive, and YouTube using either your old or new email address. Google also says you can reuse your old email address whenever you want in the future.

However, there are some limitations. You won’t be able to delete your new email address once you create it. You also can’t create another new Google Account email address that ends in gmail.com for at least 12 months after making the change. This means your old address stays somewhat active even after you switch.

Interestingly, this information is currently only visible on the Hindi version of the support page. This could mean the feature is launching in Hindi-speaking markets first, or it might just be that this page was updated before the English version.

The English support page still says your Gmail address usually cannot be changed. Most other email providers have offered this feature for a long time, so it’s good to see Gmail finally adding it. Right now, you can create a new Gmail address with any name you want, but you’ll lose all data tied to your old address, including photos, music, and Google Play purchases. 

If this feature does roll out to everyone, it will be a significant improvement. Google has been adding several new Gmail features recently, including AI tools that predict your schedule. This latest addition would continue that trend, making Gmail smarter and more intuitive for everyday users.

When the feature becomes available, you can change your Gmail address by going to your device’s Settings app, tapping Google, then your name, and selecting Manage your Google Account. From there, tap Personal info, then Email, and finally Google Account email to make the change.